The renting of pandas works because pandas are now endangered species found only within the boundaries of China unless they are rented or gifted to other countries. This practice of gifting pandas was started way back in the tang dynasty. China started gifting Pandas firstly to the United States in 1972 to maintain healthy relationships with other countries but in 1984 China stopped gifting them and instead started loaning the pandas.

Since it is up to each country what laws they want to pass to protect their own wildlife, China has rules for owner countries which are described below:

£600,000 a year for the pair of pandas is taken from the country and they are rented only for 10 years, not less than that. If one Panda dies because of human error then the zoo has to pay £300,000. Rentals typically last for 10 years, with a renewal option.

So the adorable animals are not any other country's to own now. Although the loaning has now turned into a blooming business for China, all the funds collected are given to the welfare conservation of pandas in China.